title: The role of neuropsychological functioning in cancer survivors' return to work one year after diagnosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between neuropsychological functioning and the ability to work in cancer survivors.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study involved a consecutive cohort of 45 patients who had received a primary diagnosis of cancer, were gainfully employed at baseline, and had been treated with curative intent. Twelve months after the first day of sick leave, they underwent a neuropsychological assessment that included executive function and verbal memory tests. Other clinical, person-related, and work-related factors were also assessed by questionnaire at this time. Ability to work was measured as perceived workability (0-10) and work status at 12 months of sick leave.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifteen participants (33%) showed neuropsychological impairments covering various domains. The mean workability score of cancer survivors with neuropsychological impairment was 4.9, whereas those without impairments had a mean score of 6.0 (raw beta = -0.19: 95% CI = -2.9 to 0.7; adjusted beta = -0.15; 95% CI = -2.5 to 0.8). More cancer survivors with neuropsychological impairments (7/15, 47%) than without (9/30, 30%) had not yet returned to work (raw OR 0.5: 95% CI: 0.1-1.8; adjusted OR 0.5; 95% CI: 0.1-2.1).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To date, this is the largest study to assess neuropsychological functioning objectively in combination with perceived workability and work status. Impaired neuropsychological functioning was found in one-third of the cancer survivors and was related to a lower vocational functioning, but the relationship was not statistically significant. More research is needed to test the relevance of neuropsychological impairments for vocational functioning.
authors.affiliation: Academic Medical Center, Department: Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nieuwenhuijsen
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Boer
authors.forename: Evelien
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Spelten
authors.forename: Mirjam A G
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sprangers
authors.forename: Jos H A M
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Verbeek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational / Q000523:psychology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018582:Sick Leave